Even after cutting strong-side linebacker Marcus Washington and redoing the deals of defensive linemen Andre Carter and Cornelius Griffin, offensive tackle Chris Samuels and receiver Antwaan Randle El, the Redskins were only about $6 million under the long-set $123 million cap. But when it rose to $127.05 million, Washington suddenly became a viable player in the sweepstakes for the Tennessee defensive tackle.

Signing Haynesworth would mark a return to owner Dan Snyder's typical open-wallet policy, one that changed the past two offseasons. In 2007, the Redskins only signed linebacker London Fletcher and cornerback Fred Smoot, each of whom had started in then assistant head coach Gregg Williams' defense. Washington hardly participated in the 2008 market, signing only three backups, two of whom were cut by August and the third during the season.

Haynesworth wouldn't fill a crying need since the Redskins have Griffin, a five-year starter, but the fact that as of Feb. 25 Washington hadn't tendered restricted free agent tackles Kedric Golston or Anthony Montgomery -- who split the job next to Griffin the past three years -- showed that there may be fire underneath all the Haynesworth smoke.

Haynesworth is considered the top player on the market. That designation at cornerback could well belong to two-time Pro Bowl pick DeAngelo Hall, who was on the verge of becoming an ex-Redskin less than four months after signing with Washington following his stunning release by Oakland.

Not only hadn't the Redskins been able to come to terms with Hall -- meaning it's all but certain that soon-to-be 34-year-old Shawn Springs will stay put despite his $8.483 million cap cost and recent injury history -- the club was also inclined to let guard Pete Kendall and defensive end Demetric Evans test the market.

Kendall, who'll be 36 in September, figures to return despite the thin group of free agent linemen, but Evans, who'll be 30 in September and is coming off his best season, wants to be a starter, a designation that will only occur in Washington if Andre Carter or Jason Taylor (as was the case in 2008) are injured. The Redskins could also sign a free agent end such as Dallas' Chris Canty. If Kendall leaves, the Redskins would have to sign a replacement or count on Chad Rinehart, who didn't play a snap as a rookie in 2008.

While Carlos Rogers should reassume the starting corner's job he lost to Hall, the Redskins will be in the market for a replacement for Marcus Washington, a five-year regular, since H.B. Blades, who inherited the job for now, isn't considered starter material.

Fortunately for the Redskins, Derrick Brooks and Cato June, both cut by Tampa Bay on Feb. 25, head a deep group of linebackers that also includes Baltimore's Bart Scott, Buffalo's Angelo Crowell, the New York Jets' Eric Barton, Kansas City's Donnie Edwards, Jacksonville's Mike Peterson and Atlanta's Michael Boley.

Since the Redskins don't have an experienced punter after cutting Ryan Plackemeier this month, they might make a run at Indianapolis' Hunter Smith.

The Redskins did give kicker Shaun Suisham the $1.01 million tender on Feb. 25 but had yet to do so for defensive tackles Kedric Golston or Anthony Montgomery, adding fuel to the Haynesworth rumors. Backup center Justin Geisinger and reserve linebacker Rian Wallace almost surely will join former starting strong safety Reed Doughty in not being tendered.

Doughty, who finished 2007 and opened 2008 as a starter, still hopes to return for a lesser contract after missing the final 12 games of last season with a back injury.

The Redskins have five second-line unrestricted free agents: little-used defensive tackle Ryan Boschetti; leading special teams tackler Khary Campbell; 2007 emergency starting right guard Jason Fabini; reserve linebacker Alfred Fincher and backup safety Mike Green.